Rainbows: Wonders of Light and Life

Hello Reader!

When I was about 3 or 4, I remember one day looking up and seeing a rainbow for the first time. That such unexpected beauty could appear out of thin air stopped me entirely. I was awestruck.

Rainbows – a phenomenon created from light and water droplets interaction – have always felt mystical. Like many, I tend to see them as potent signs of goodness.

So, this past week, when I heard Cedar wanted a rainbow-themed third birthday party, I was all over it! I made four rainbow dresses, some rainbow pants, and a pair of rainbow shorts for the party guests. We ordered mini rainbow pinatas, rainbow crepe paper, and the pièce de résistance? We (well, actually Jaime, because I was madly sewing…) also made a homemade spectacular rainbow cake!

So, as I write this weekly email this week, I have rainbows on my mind.

What is it about rainbows that capture our imagination so?

I love their luminescent transparency, filled with vibrant colors. I love that they always make me think of my father, who has passed. This connection with my father is because he taught me a British mnemonic when I was little to remember the order of the colors of the rainbow. I never forgot it: Richard Of York Gained Battles In Vain—Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.

Or maybe there is something even more to rainbows—something pointing to the mystery of life, to transcendence?

Cultural significance of rainbows

Before writing today, I lightly researched rainbows (think Wikipedia). I learned how many cultures have myths and legends about rainbows. Of course, I already knew about the Irish legend that asserts a pot of gold at the rainbow’s end. And, because I had studied Mayan culture, I learned about Ixchel – the Rainbow goddess of fertility. Plus, I majored in Classics in college, so I was familiar with Greek mythology’s goddess Iris, who personifies the rainbow. She carries messages from the gods to the human world in many stories, such as the Iliad.

Today, I learned that many Aboriginal mythologies in Australia include a rainbow serpent deity. In North American Navajo tradition, the rainbow is a bridge: the path of the holy spirits.

The bridge theme shows up frequently. In Norse religion, a burning rainbow bridge called the Bifrost connects Midgard (earth) with Asgard, home of the gods. Shamans among Siberia’s Buryats speak of ascending to the sky-spirit world through the rainbow. There are other rainbow bridge references too numerous to mention.

A rainbow appears in the Bible, too. In Genesis 9:16, a rainbow is the sign of the covenant between God and all beings on earth.

I especially loved learning about this piece of folklore: In Albanian folk beliefs, the rainbow is regarded as the belt of the goddess Prende, and oral legend has it that anyone who jumps over the rainbow changes their sex. That made me curious about the history of the pride flag.

In the 50s and 60s, Judy Garland and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” became affiliated with the gay movement and may have contributed to creating the Pride flag. I read in Britannica.com that the pride flag was first designed in 1978 by the artist Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man and a drag queen, who Harvey Milk had asked to come up with a symbol. Baker believed gay people needed to come out, be visible, and live in truth. He felt like a flag was visibly proclaiming that and saw the rainbow as a natural flag from the sky.

Rainbow body

One of my favorite things I learned this morning was from the Tibetan Buddhists, who discuss the concept of the “rainbow body.” For Buddhists, a rainbow is “the highest state achievable before attaining Nirvana, where individual desire and consciousness are extinguished” (Wikipedia, Secret of the Vajra World). I had to chuckle. The ultimate spiritual goal is to become a rainbow body!

We are light

It got me thinking about the inner body as light. Something I don’t talk about much was a startling experience I once had working with a woman leading me through a special guided meditation (which I don’t remember much about). I recall that for about five minutes, I suddenly experienced myself as someone else—channeling, perhaps?

I know, pretty woo-woo. 🤷

Still, those five minutes have stuck with me. I could not move my limbs during that time, but I spoke. The voice referred to me in the third person, using my voice to speak. It said, “Tell her, I have a message from all the children who have passed. They say to let everyone know they are okay—that they are made of light.”

Perhaps our human tears pass through the light of being to create rainbows.

Rainbows remind us of life’s beauty and mystery and inspire us to reflect and create. Speaking of creation, I’m excited to share some upcoming opportunities and resources with you.

Opportunities and resources

New Write Now Mind session will start August 4, 2024!
I’m thrilled to announce a new Write Now Mind session, where we will dive deep into mindful writing practices to tap into our inner creativity and presence. This session will be an excellent chance to explore how we can bring more awareness and intention into our writing process–or, conversely, to practice writing about our awareness practice. If you have participated before, use this to enroll: https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/TRG6H3.

If you have never participated in a Write Now Mind class, please email me first: marijkemccandless@gmail.com

Outwild, Sept 5-8, 2024
Additionally, I’ll teach a writing and awareness practice workshop in September at Outwild, an event focused on outdoor adventure and personal growth. This workshop will be an immersive experience, guiding participants to write authentically and vulnerably, connecting more deeply with their true selves. If you are coming, I can’t wait to see you! If you have never heard of Outwild, check it out!

Podcasts and articles
I invite you to check out my recent podcasts and articles for ongoing inspiration and insights, particularly those related to my book, Naked in the Now. I discuss various topics on mindfulness, creativity, and living fully in the present moment. These podcasts and other episodes by the hosts can support you on your journey of self-discovery and personal growth. One quick way to find these is through Linktree or my website, marijkemccandless.com.

A listening ear
Finally, I wanted to mention I had a call a couple of nights ago from an old business colleague who had picked up my book, Naked in the Now. Although it has been years since we’ve talked, I loved that this high-level executive reached out to me during a particularly challenging time and after a jarring dream that felt like a wake-up call to them—needing someone to listen to them for a moment. If you need a listening ear, I’m here for you too.

Don’t forget to review Naked in the Now :)! And, send me your favorite rainbow stories!